Condos

Finding beauty in the flaws

No two pieces are ever exactly the same when dealing with natural products such as marble, leather

Don't be surprised if the marble flooring you receive looks different from what you saw in the showroom.

Photograph by: Frances Litman
, Postmedia News

Dear Leanne: Our new coffee table — which we have been awaiting for six weeks — finally arrived. It has antique brass legs with a black marble top. I have been trying to live with the table, but to be honest, I am really disappointed with how it looks in the room. The marble top in the showroom was mostly black, but mine has a large white vein running through it, which is now all I see when I look at it. Is there any way to change marble?

A: I do feel for you — you are clearly experiencing buyer's remorse. Usually, when customers are disappointed with their purchases, it stems from a lack of understanding. In this situation, it sounds as if you didn't understand the character of natural products — marble, granite, wood and leather will always be unique.

It is unfortunate that the salesperson didn't have sufficient knowledge or experience to prepare you for your new "gift from the mountain," but these variations are typical and expected when dealing with nature. That is one of the main differences between natural stone and man-made products; with man-made it always looks the same, with natural products it's always different.

Leather will often present scars. It also absorbs dyes differently, much like we tan differently based on our pigmentation. Wood possesses its own innate characteristics — knots can show up where you don't expect them, and suddenly that's all you notice. In both situations, the natural product is perfectly acceptable as a building/design element. It is part of the natural beauty of the material.

Natural stone is no different. When you consider the millions of years of intense pressure and heat these rocks endure, natural stones should be viewed as original works of art. The fact that your marble has white veining makes it unique — there won't be another table top exactly like it anywhere.

Rather than seeing this as a flaw, I suggest you try to appreciate it. Since it's in full view, work with it as you would a piece of art you would hang on your wall.

There is nothing I would do to alter its appearance and requesting a new marble top is no guarantee that you will find it "less of a surprise." You could contact the store where you bought it, explain the situation and ask to exchange yours for the exact marble top you saw on the floor.

That way, the sales people will have a better product representation to help other clients understand the nature of nature.

Dear Leanne, I am giving my home a facelift and wondered what your thought on wallpaper is. I have never used it before and wonder both how hard it is to apply and if it would date a room.

A: Wall paper can give a room personality. In the right place, it adds the instant punch that you can't always get from a single wall colour. However, you can overdo anything, so discretion should always be applied. My favourite rooms to incorporate wall paper are bedrooms, powder rooms and dining rooms.

The small, confined space of a powder room is perfect for trying out pattern, but it can be a little finicky when it comes to cutting around corners and constantly changing edges. Bedrooms are very personal spaces and a perfect opportunity to experiment. With the various thicknesses and finishes offered, wallpaper can provide additional durability to walls, especially attractive for kids' rooms. The dining room is one room that can afford to be dramatic, and wall paper can set the stage.

If you are curious about the effect but worried it may be too much, try starting with one wall as a feature. Take your time selecting a pattern you can live with.

When it comes to ease of application, this varies with the type of paper and the pattern. Have a sales representative guide you in your selection if you plan to do the work yourself, or to get the names of qualified professionals.

Leanne Brownoff is an Edmonton interior design consultant who welcomes your questions at leannebrownoff@shaw.ca. Answers will be featured in her column, as high volumes prevent individual emailed responses.

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